Item of apparel

ABSTRACT

An article of upper-body clothing ( 100 ) including shell fabric defining a body to which are attached sleeves ( 102 ) along body-sleeve seams, and another instrument, preferably stretchable or stretchable ventilating bands ( 104 ) underlying the fabric in regions of the body-sleeve seams.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to clothing and more particular to jackets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide an improved article of clothing. There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention an article of upper-body clothing including shell fabric defining a body to which are attached sleeves, and between the body and the sleeves exists another instrument, preferably made of fabric, as a medium between the sleeve or the sleeve lining, and the body or body lining as applicable. Preferably, the instrument between the sleeves and the body enables an improved functionality or design of the garment. In one configuration described herein, ventilated bands or stretchable bands or stretchable ventilating bands underlying the fabric in regions of the body-sleeve seams. Preferably, the stretchable ventilating bands are attached between lining of the body and lining of the sleeve. Additionally, at least in an underarm region the ventilating bands are not overlaid by lining, thus providing a high degree of ventilation through the fabric. Alternatively or additionally the stretchable ventilating band is formed of a resilient fiber.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the stretchable ventilating band is formed to be relatively broad adjacent the top of the shoulder and to taper therefrom to be relatively narrow in the underarm region. Preferably, one edge of the stretchable ventilating band is joined to a corresponding edge of the body lining, while an opposite edge of the band is joined to a corresponding edge of the sleeve lining and to the seam of the fabric at which the fabric of the sleeve is joined to the fabric of the body. Additionally, the stretchable ventilating band is not joined to a shoulder pad, underlying the fabric of the body and is not joined to the fabric other than at the seam.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention an article of upper-body clothing including shell fabric defining a body to which are attached sleeves along circumferential body-sleeve seams, and at least one resiliently stretchable portion, underlying the fabric in regions of the circumferential body-sleeve seams and extending along the regions of the circumferential body-sleeve seams along at least one quarter of an azimuthal extent thereof. Alternatively, the resiliently stretchable portion extends along the regions of the circumferential body-sleeve seams along at least one half of the azimuthal extent thereof. Alternatively or additionally, the resiliently stretchable portion extends along the regions of the circumferential body-sleeve seams along all of the azimuthal extent thereof.

There is also provided in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention an article of upper-body clothing including shell fabric defining a body to which are attached sleeves along circumferential body-sleeve seams, and at least one resiliently stretchable portion, underlying the fabric in regions of the circumferential body-sleeve seams and extending along the regions of the circumferential body-sleeve seams along an underarm region thereof.

There is further provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention an article of upper-body clothing including shell fabric defining a body to which are attached sleeves along circumferential body-sleeve seams, and at least one resiliently stretchable portion, underlying the fabric in regions of the circumferential body-sleeve seams and extending from the underarm region upwards partially towards the shoulder and extending along the front and back region of the circumferential body-sleeve seams.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the resiliently stretchable portion is a ventilating portion. Additionally, the resiliently stretchable portion is attached between lining of the body and lining of the sleeve.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention at least in an underarm region the resiliently stretchable portion is not overlaid by lining, thus providing a high degree of ventilation through the fabric. Preferably, the resiliently stretchable portion is formed of a resilient fiber. Additionally, the resiliently stretchable portion is formed to be relatively broad adjacent a top of the shoulder and to taper therefrom to be relatively narrow in the underarm region.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention one edge of the resiliently stretchable portion is joined to a corresponding edge of the body lining, while an opposite edge of the portion is joined to a corresponding edge of the sleeve lining and to the seam of the fabric at which the fabric of the sleeve is joined to the fabric of the body. Preferably, the resiliently stretchable portion is not joined to a shoulder pad, underlying the fabric of the body and is not joined to the fabric other than at the seam.

There is further provided in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention an article of upper-body clothing including shell fabric defining a body to which are attached sleeves along body-sleeve seams, a body lining attached to the body, a sleeve lining attached to the sleeves, and ventilating portions underlying the fabric in regions of the body-sleeve seams and attached between the body lining and the sleeve lining, wherein the ventilating bands are formed of a fabric which allows for a higher degree of ventilation through the fabric than the body lining and the sleeve lining.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention at least in an underarm region the ventilating portions are not overlaid by lining, thus providing a high degree of ventilation through the shell fabric. Additionally, the ventilating portion is formed to be relatively broad adjacent the top of the shoulder and to taper therefrom to be relatively narrow in the underarm region. Preferably, one edge of the ventilating portion is joined to a corresponding edge of the body lining, while an opposite edge of the portion is joined to a corresponding edge of the sleeve lining and to the seam of the shell fabric at which the shell fabric of the sleeve is joined to the shell fabric of the body. Alternatively, the ventilating portion is not joined to a shoulder pad, underlying the shell fabric of the body and is not joined to the shell fabric other than at the seam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a jacket constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-2D are respective back and top views of the jacket of FIG. 1 in a first and second operative orientation;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a jacket constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A-4D are respective back and top views of the jacket of FIG. 3 in a first and second operative orientation;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a jacket constructed and operative in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 6A-6D are respective back and top views of the jacket of FIG. 5 in a first and second operative orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which illustrates a jacket constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 1, there is provided a jacket of conventional outer appearance having a jacket body 100 to which are attached sleeves 102.

It is a particular feature of the present invention that, unseen from the outside, there is provided an instrument, preferably made of fabric, as a medium between the sleeve and the body. In the figure, the instrument is ventilating band 104. Stretchable circumferential ventilating band 104 is preferably attached between a lining of the jacket body, here designated by reference numeral 106 and lining of the sleeve, here designated by reference numeral 108, around the sleeve or any portion of the circumferential seem between the sleeve and the body. It is a particular feature of the present invention that at least in an underarm region, designated by reference numeral 110, and preferably along its entire circumference, generally the ventilating band 104 is not overlaid by lining, thus providing a high degree of ventilation through the suiting fabric, as indicated diagrammatically by arrows 112.

Turning specifically to the enlarged portion of FIG. 1, it is seen that in a preferred arrangement the stretchable circumferential ventilating band 104, which is preferably formed of an open knit or woven fabric formed of LYCRA®, is relatively broad adjacent the top of the shoulder, as indicated at arrow 114 and tapers down to be relatively narrow in the underarm region, designated by reference numeral 110.

One circumferential edge of band 104, designated by reference numeral 116, is joined to a corresponding circumferential edge of jacket body lining 106, while an opposite circumferential edge of band 104, designated by reference numeral 118, is joined to a corresponding circumferential edge of sleeve lining 108 and to the seam of the suiting fabric, designated by reference numeral 120, at which the suiting fabric of the sleeve 102 is joined to the suiting fabric of the jacket body 100. It is noted that preferably band 104 is not joined to a shoulder pad 122, underlying the suiting fabric of the jacket body 100 and is not joined to the suiting fabric other than at seam 120.

It is appreciated that in another embodiment of the present invention the stretchable circumferential ventilating band 104 may be replaced by a ventilating band formed of a fabric which allows for a higher degree of ventilation through the suiting fabric than the jacket body lining 106 and the sleeve lining 108.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2A-2D, which illustrate another important feature of the jacket described hereinabove, as illustrated in FIG. 1. For the sake of convenience and conciseness, identical reference numerals are used where applicable. It is seen from a consideration of FIGS. 2A-2D, that when the jacket of FIG. 1 is worn in a generally “arms-down” orientation, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the width of the band 104 at the top back of the shoulder is X1 and the width of the band 104 at the forward underarm region is Y1, where Y1<X1.

When the wearer changes the orientation of his arms, so as to bring his arms together, as shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, the width of the band 104 at the top back of the shoulder becomes X2, where X2<X1 and the width of the band 104 at the forward underarm region becomes Y2, where Y2>Y1. This illustrates the flexibility and resiliency of the structure of the jacket in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which illustrates a jacket constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 3, the band 104, shown in FIGS. 1-2D, can be replaced by a stretchable ventilating portion 130 which is preferably formed of an open knit or woven fabric formed of LYCRA®. Stretchable ventilating portion 130 is preferably attached between a lining of the jacket body, here designated by reference numeral 136 and a lining of the sleeve, here designated by reference numeral 138, in a region, designated by reference numeral 139, extending from the underarm region 110 upwards partially towards the shoulder and encompassing a front and back region of a band, similar to the circumferential ventilating band 104 shown in FIGS. 1-2D, but not extending completely to the shoulder.

It is appreciated that in another embodiment of the present invention the stretchable ventilating portion 130 may be replaced by a ventilating band formed of a fabric which allows for a higher degree of ventilation through the suiting fabric than the jacket body lining 136 and the sleeve lining 138.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A-4D, which illustrate another important feature of the jacket described hereinabove, as illustrated in FIG. 3. It is seen from a consideration of FIGS. 4A-4D, that when the jacket of FIG. 3 is worn in a generally “arms-down” orientation, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the width of the stretchable ventilating portion 130 at the top of region 139 is X1 and the width of the stretchable ventilating portion 130 at the bottom region of region 139 is Y1, where Y1<X1.

When the wearer changes the orientation of his arms, so as to bring his arms together, as shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, the width of the stretchable ventilating portion 130 at the top of region 139 becomes X2, where X2<X1 and the width of the stretchable ventilating portion 130 at the bottom region of region 139 becomes Y2, where Y2>Y1. This illustrates the flexibility and resiliency of the structure of the jacket in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which illustrates a jacket constructed and operative in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 5, the band 104, shown in FIGS. 1-2D, can be replaced by a stretchable ventilating portion 140. Stretchable ventilating portion 140 is preferably attached between lining of the jacket body, here designated by reference numeral 146 and lining of the sleeve, here designated by reference numeral 148 in the underarm region 110.

It is appreciated that in another embodiment of the present invention the stretchable ventilating portion 140 may be replaced by a ventilating band formed of a fabric which allows for a higher degree of ventilation through the suiting fabric than the jacket body lining 146 and the sleeve lining 148.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 6A-6D, which illustrate another important feature of the jacket described hereinabove, as illustrated in FIG. 5. It is seen from a consideration of FIGS. 6A-6D, that when the jacket of FIG. 5 is worn in a generally “arms-down” orientation, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the width of the stretchable ventilating portion 140 at the top of the underarm region is X1 and the width of the stretchable ventilating portion 140 at the bottom underarm region is Y1, where Y1<X1.

When the wearer changes the orientation of his arms, so as to bring his arms together, as shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, the width of the stretchable ventilating portion 140 at the top of the underarm region becomes X2, where X2<X1 and the width of the stretchable ventilating portion 140 at the bottom underarm region becomes Y2, where Y2>Y1. This illustrates the flexibility and resiliency of the structure of the jacket in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof as would occur to a person of skill in the art upon reading the foregoing specification and which are not in the prior art. 

1-42. (canceled)
 43. An article of upper-body clothing comprising a fabric attached between a sleeve and a body of such clothing, said fabric constructed of a stretchable material, and said fabric being wider in a shoulder area than in an underarm area, said fabric to narrow in said shoulder area and widen in said underarm area when said sleeve is moved in front of said body.
 44. The article as in claim 43, wherein said fabric is ventilating in said underarm area.
 45. The article as in claim 43, wherein a first edge of said fabric is sewn to an edge of said body, and a second edge of said fabric is sewn to an edge of said sleeve.
 46. The article as in claim 45, wherein said fabric is sewn to said edge of said body along less than all of said edge of said body in said area of said sleeve, and said fabric is sewn to said sleeve along less than all of said edge of said sleeve in said area of said body.
 47. The article as in claim 43, wherein said fabric is attached between an edge of a lining of said body and an edge of a lining of said sleeve along said underarm area, such that said fabric is not covered by said lining in said underarm area.
 48. The article as in claim 43, where said fabric is formed of resilient fiber.
 49. An article as in claim 43, wherein said fabric is not joined to a shoulder pad underlying said body.
 50. An article of upper-body clothing comprising: a shell fabric defining a body to which are attached sleeves along circumferential body-sleeve seams; and at least one resiliently stretchable portion, underlying said fabric in regions of said circumferential body-sleeve seams and extending from the underarm region upwards partially towards the shoulder and extending along the front and back region of said circumferential body-sleeve seams.
 51. The article of upper-body clothing according to claim 50, wherein said resiliently stretchable portion is a ventilating portion.
 52. The article of upper-body clothing according to claim 50, wherein said resiliently stretchable portion is attached between a lining of said body and a lining of said sleeve.
 53. The article of upper-body clothing according to claim 52, wherein in an underarm region said resiliently stretchable portion is not overlaid by lining, thus providing a high degree of ventilation through said fabric.
 54. The article of upper-body clothing according to claim 50, wherein said resiliently stretchable portion is formed of a resilient fiber.
 55. The article of upper-body clothing according to claim 52, wherein one edge of said resiliently stretchable portion is joined to a corresponding edge of said body lining, while an opposite edge of said portion is joined to a corresponding edge of said sleeve lining and to said seam of said fabric at which said fabric of said sleeve is joined to said fabric of said body.
 56. The article of upper-body clothing according to claim 50, wherein said resiliently stretchable portion is broad at a top of the shoulder and narrow in said underarm region.
 57. The article of upper-body clothing according to claim 56, wherein said resiliently stretchable portion is not joined to a shoulder pad, underlying said fabric of said body and is not joined to said fabric other than at said seam.
 58. A method of constructing an upper body garment comprising attaching a fabric between a sleeve and a body of such clothing, said fabric constructed of a stretchable material, and said fabric being wider in a shoulder area than in an underarm area, said fabric to narrow in said shoulder area and widen in said underarm area when said sleeve is moved in front of said body.
 59. The method as in claim 58, wherein said attaching comprises attaching said fabric constructed of a stretchable and ventilating material in an underarm area of said garment.
 60. The method as in claim 58, wherein said attaching comprises attaching a first edge of said fabric to an edge of said body, and a second edge of said fabric to an edge of said sleeve.
 61. The method as in claim 60, wherein said attaching comprises attaching said fabric to said edge of said body along less than all of said edge of said body in an area of said sleeve, and attaching said fabric to said sleeve along less than all of said edge of said sleeve in an area of said body.
 62. The method as in claim 58, wherein said attaching comprises attaching said fabric between an edge of a lining of said body and an edge of a lining of said sleeve along said underarm area, such that said fabric is not covered by said lining in said underarm area. 